By James Bovington
Chris Sylvester, from Getting Clean in Armley, was both surprised and delighted to receive a Community Impact award at the annual dinner of the Park Lane Foundation.
Getting Clean started as a volunteer project in November 2021 led by Mr Sylvester, a former addict, with recovering addicts helping each other and the local community to get clean and stay clean.
Mr Sylvester, 43, said: “This was both unexpected and humbling as our approach is just to get on with the work we do in Leeds.
“Knowing that other organisations recognise our commitment to tackling addiction and creating safer, happier and cleaner communities is a major boost for us.”
Getting Clean is a mutual aid organisation providing peer-to-peer support to people in drug and alcohol recovery by giving them the opportunity to help others and care for the environment. It’s developed into a not-for-profit company, making and selling soap and Getting Clean’s ‘Soap with Hope’ is made by recovering addicts in therapeutic soap-making workshops.
My Sylvester added: “All of the proceeds from our sales help us support people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction including assistance in finding work. We also aim to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable local community.
“Getting Clean means more than stopping taking drugs. The therapeutic value of ‘getting clean’ relates not only to our bodies and minds but also to our streets and local communities.
“Besides making soap, we arrange regular volunteering projects, such as community clean ups, conservation work and residential repair jobs for vulnerable citizens. We aim to educate and inspire all members of the community to lead cleaner and more sustainable lifestyles – whether that means recycling plastic or abstinence from substances.’
‘We’re delighted that in addition to our recent award we’ve been selected to receive ongoing support in 2025 from the Park Lane Foundation who’ve pledged to support our organisation with detailed business support.”